Steelhead Brewing Company, a fixture at University Center in Irvine since 1995, is closing at the end of October.

Irvine Co. representatives confirm that the closure is part of several food changes coming soon to the retail center, near UC Irvine. At 6,500 square feet, Steelhead is the largest restaurant space at the Campus Drive center.

Tender Greens, which has a location at the Irvine Spectrum Center, is replacing the space where Britta's Cafe used to operate.

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Yushoken and Delsushi are also coming to the center, anchored by a movie theater and Trader Joe's. Yushoken is ramen house that's replacing Asia Noodle Café. Delsushi plans to offer sushi delivery – a service geared for local students, according to its website.

“We've heard your cries for good late-night delivery. We understand that you get hungry as you're studying or partying,” the website states.

For more than a year, the Irvine Co. has brought in new concepts to University Center. Other new restaurants include Snoflakez and Blaze Pizza.

CONTROVERSIAL CHEF COMING TO OLD TOWNE

An oyster house with a controversial chef from Ireland is coming to an odd location in Orange.

Ever since Ways & Means Oysters announced its arrival in Old Towne Orange, the community has been abuzz. After some digging, I discovered some intriguing details about this so-called oyster house, opening in a spot once occupied by two family casual restaurants.

The restaurant's founders are Parnell and Jennifer Delcham of United Culinary Artists. The chef is Conrad Gallagher, who has worked at several fine-dining institutions in New York. Various blogs and media publications, including the reputable Eater food blog, have chronicled Gallagher's failed ventures and apparent dodgy financial tactics in Las Vegas, Ireland, New York and South Africa. Earlier this year, Gallagher's Las Vegas burger joint PoshBurger Bistro closed after being open a few months.

Gallagher declined to comment when asked about the reports.

In the meantime, Ways & Means has acquired a top Los Angeles publicity firm to represent the seafood restaurant, which is opening inside a former Coco's Bakery. The firm said the Delchams and Gallagher, a Michelin-honored chef, live in Orange County. A rep said United Culinary Artists is proud of Gallagher, who is acting as a consulting executive chef.

Old Towne Orange has seen an uptick in hipster food concepts but this location is odd. The restaurant sits at the corner of Chapman and Shaffer near a Lutheran church, historic homes, commercial property and Orange City Hall. It is a few blocks from the city's prime downtown – far enough that it can be easily missed by nearby foot traffic.

MORE OPENINGS

Early Bird Cafe is opening a second Orange County outlet. The new Yorba Linda restaurant, at 21550 Yorba Linda Blvd., is larger than the Fullerton location and will have a onsite coffee roaster.

Owner Tank Menzies told fans on the restaurant's Facebook page that the cafe will be a “combo-concept” featuring a full-service restaurant and onsite coffee roasting.

“It will be the first of its kind in North Orange County,” he said. “We'll employ state of the art brewing techniques including a V-60 pour-over bar, siphon bar, traditional drip and, of course, a killer espresso machine – all operated by intensively trained baristas (you'll appreciate this!). At the coffee bar we will also be offering to-go coffee, whole beans and grab-and-go breakfast and lunch items, as well as plenty of space to just hang out.”

Sounds a bit like Portola Coffee Lab to me.

North Orange County is also home to a new Burrissimo Fresh Italian restaurant. The fast-casual Italian chain opened its second Orange County restaurant Sept. 17 in downtown Brea near Starbucks and Corner Bakery. Unlike the Costa Mesa restaurant, this location has added pizzas. Address: 103 W. Imperial Highway at Brea Boulevard. Burrissimo's owner John Parlet founded John's Incredible Pizza Company.

Jerry's Wood-Fired Dogs is opening in Costa Mesa (at Harbor and Adams) in October. The Orange County chain plans to open more restaurants via franchising in the coming months, including a unit in Carlsbad at the first of the year, said Jerry O'Connell, founder of Jerry's.

It is open Wednesday through Sunday. Rancho A Go Go's L.A. food truck will continue to operate, he said. Address: 665 N. Tustin St., Orange.

The Lime Truck is bringing its TLT Food restaurant to Irvine. TLT is a brick-and-mortar version of the Irvine-based food truck, which rose to über-hip status when it won “The Great Food Truck Race” in 2011. Truck owner and co-founder Daniel Shemtob has opened TLT restaurants in Westwood and Los Angeles.

The next one, according to his reps, will be in Irvine. No deal has been signed.

Which Wich, a build your own sandwich shop, opened two locations in the past month in Aliso Viejo and Costa Mesa. Addresses: 26611 Aliso Creek Road and 269 E. 17th St. Another Which Wich is slated to open in Orange at the Stadium Promenade on Nov. 4 at 1623 W. Katella Ave.

Gelato Paradiso, which closed last year at Corona del Mar Plaza, will open in October in the Atrium food court at Fashion Island. Besides its regular menu of gelato, the shop is adding gelato cakes and coffee by San Diego-based Caffé Calabria.

Irvine-based Habit Restaurants opened its first Orange County drive-through restaurant this week in Irvine. This is the company's fourth drive-through location and 74th restaurant. The Irvine drive-through, at 2200 Barranca Parkway, joins other Habit drive-throughs in Northridge, Visalia and Vallejo.

Michelle Haut Chocolat, a chocolate shop, is slated to open next month at The OC Mix at South Coast Collection in Costa Mesa.

The Irvine Co. is adding a new mix of restaurants to University Center in Irvine. COURTESY IRVINE CO.
Steelhead Brewing is closing at the University Center. COURTESY STEELHEAD
Britta's Cafe owner-executive chef Britta Kvinge Pulliam. The cafe closed and is being replaced by Tender Greens at the University Center H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Melon Agua Fresca at Tender Greens at the Irvine Spectrum Center. The chain is part of a growing number of "fast casual" plus restaurants. Tender Greens is replacing Britta's Cafe at University Center in Irvine. TENDER GREENS
Michelle Haut Chocolat, a gourmet chocolate shop, is slated to open next month at The OC Mix at South Coast Collection in Costa Mesa. COURTESY Michelle Haut Chocolat
Meatloaf sandwich special on a ciabatta roll and spinach simple salad at Tender Greens. All main entree meals cost $11. Tender Greens is replacing Britta's Cafe at University Center in Irvine. TENDER GREENS
The Irvine Co. is adding a new mix of restaurants to University Center in Irvine. COURTESY IRVINE CO.

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